Red Cross Blood Supply Drops to Critically Low Levels

Missouri-Illinois

July 11, 2011

July 11, 2011 – The American Red Cross now issues an appeal for blood donors to roll up a sleeve and address a critical shortage across the nation.

Many blood donors are busy this summer season and donations have dropped dramatically. While demand for blood products remained steady in May and June, donations were at the lowest level the Red Cross has seen during this timeframe in over a dozen years. The Red Cross now needs blood donors more than ever. All types are needed, but especially O negative, which can be used to treat any patient.

The Red Cross has responded to more than 40 major disasters across more than 30 states over the past three months. “This has been an especially busy year for the Red Cross, as we’ve given help and hope to people affected by deadly tornadoes, floods, wildfires and other storms,” said Shaun Gilmore, President, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “But there’s another, more personal, kind of disaster that can happen to any of us at any time if we need blood and it’s not available.”

The Red Cross is reaching out to eligible blood donors, sponsors and community leaders to ask them to recruit blood donors to help meet the needs of patients in communities across the United States experiencing a great medical need.

“As a meteorologist, I know that there is a chance of tornado, flood, fire, earthquake or hurricane somewhere in our country almost every day,” said Jim Cantore, Meteorologist and member of the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet. ”Any one of these natural disasters can bring pain and heartbreak to those affected. Similarly, a critical blood shortage like the one we’re experiencing right now could have the same effect on someone in need.”

Go to http://bit.ly/q7c8wm to download and share a audio PSA of Jim Cantore discussing the need for blood donations.

In effort to help with this summer’s blood shortage, the St. Louis Rams are partnering with the American Red Cross to encourage healthy individuals to “Be Extraordinary” and turn their typical summer day into an extraordinary gift for a patient in need.

From now through September 5, 2011 all those who attempt to donate blood at an American Red Cross blood drive or blood donation center will receive an opportunity to purchase discounted Rams tickets ($10-$15.00 savings) at the Rams website https://www.stlouisrams.com/redcross, and be entered to win a weekly $250 gas card drawing.

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS or go to redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets. Platelets may be donated at an American Red Cross blood donation center. Platelets aid in the clotting process to prevent or stop bleeding and are vital in helping patients with leukemia or other cancers.